Highest-Scoring Games in NHL History

(last updated on November 10, 2025)

Scoring goals is the ultimate thrill in hockey, and the NHL has seen some unforgettable games where the puck seemed to find the back of the net at an incredible pace. From the early days of the NHL to the high-scoring showdowns of the 1980s to more recent offensive explosions, there have been some high-scoring affairs. Today we are going to look at the most goals scored in an NHL game. Let’s dive into the matchups where goal lights worked overtime.

19 goals – Toronto Arenas vs. Montreal Wanderers

We start our countdown to the most goals in an NHL game with the first of six games in NHL history featuring 19 total goals. The Montreal Wanderers only played one season in the NHL, but they find themselves in the history books outscoring the Toronto Arenas 10 to 9. Montreal’s Harry Hyland scored five goals while Toronto got four goals from Reg Noble.

---

19 goals – Montreal Canadiens vs. Quebec Bulldogs

This March of 1920 matchup between the Montreal Canadiens and Quebec Athletic Club/Bulldogs saw 19 total goals, with Montreal winning 16-3. The Canadiens had four players record hat tricks: Harry Cameron and Newsy Lalonde each scored four goals, while Didier Pitre and Odie Cleghorn contributed three apiece. Lalonde added an assist for a game-high five points. Joe Malone, who would go on to lead the NHL with 39 goals that season, scored once for Quebec, while Thomas McCarthy and Harry Mummery added the Bulldogs’ other goals. The 16 goals from Montreal are the most goals by one team in an NHL game.

---

19 goals – Hamilton Tigers vs. Montreal Canadiens

On February 26, 1921, the Montreal Canadiens and Hamilton Tigers combined for 19 goals in a 13-6 Montreal victory at Mount Royal Arena. Newsy Lalonde recorded a hat trick for Montreal with three goals in just over six minutes during the second period. Cully Wilson matched that feat with three third-period goals for the Canadiens, while Didier Pitre and Amos Arbour each scored twice. Hamilton’s Joe Malone notched a hat trick of his own in the losing effort, while Billy Coutu added two goals for the Tigers.

---

19 goals – New York Rangers vs. Boston Bruins

In a wild affair at Boston Garden in 1944, the Bruins edged the New York Rangers 10-9, with Bill Cowley leading the charge with four goals and two assists for Boston. The teams combined for 19 goals, with Pat Egan adding five points (two goals, three assists) for the Bruins. New York’s attack featured a hat trick from Fern Gauthier and a four-point performance from Kilby MacDonald (two goals, two assists). Both Dutch Hiller and Bryan Hextall contributed three points each for the Rangers in the losing effort.

---

19 goals – Boston Bruins vs. Detroit Red Wings

In a thrilling offensive explosion at Detroit Olympia, the Red Wings outlasted the Boston Bruins 10-9 in a game for the ages. Carl Liscombe led Detroit’s charge with a hat trick, while Mud Bruneteau and Syd Howe each added three points to power the Red Wings’ relentless attack. The Bruins fought valiantly, with Bill Cowley and Busher Jackson each registering four points, including a hat trick for Jackson. Herb Cain was a standout with a goal and four assists, keeping Boston in contention until the final whistle. The teams combined for 19 goals in a wild back-and-forth affair, showcasing some of the most prolific offensive talent of the era.

---

19 goals – Minnesota North Stars vs. Vancouver Canucks

The Vancouver Canucks edged the Minnesota North Stars 10-9 in a thrilling contest in October of 1983. Jiří Bubla paced the Canucks with a standout four-point performance (one goal, four assists), while Patrik Sundström and Tony Tanti each tallied twice to fuel Vancouver’s offense. The North Stars countered with Brian Bellows notching three points (two goals, one assist) and Brad Maxwell contributing four assists in a losing effort. The game saw a flurry of special teams action, with both teams combining for 10 power-play goals in a back-and-forth battle that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

---

20 goals – Minnesota North Stars vs. Edmonton Oilers

In a scoring frenzy at Northlands Coliseum, the Edmonton Oilers outgunned the Minnesota North Stars 12-8 in an electrifying contest. Wayne Gretzky put on a masterclass with an astonishing eight-point performance (four goals, four assists), while Jari Kurri added a hat trick and an assist to fuel Edmonton’s explosive attack. Paul Coffey also contributed three points, including two goals, as the Oilers’ high-octane offense overwhelmed Minnesota. The North Stars put up a valiant effort, with Dino Ciccarelli leading the way with three points (two goals, one assist), and Dennis Maruk matching him with a goal and two assists. Brad Maxwell added three points, including a power-play goal. Despite their offensive efforts, the North Stars couldn’t contain Edmonton’s relentless attack, as Grant Fuhr turned aside 28 of 36 shots to secure the win for the Oilers in this wild affair.

---

20 goals – Edmonton Oilers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

On January 8, 1986, the most recent game on this list, the Toronto Maple Leafs triumphed over the Edmonton Oilers in an unforgettable 11-9 shootout at Maple Leaf Gardens. Miroslav Fryčer stole the show with four goals, while Wendel Clark and Russ Courtnall each contributed three points to Toronto’s explosive offense. Wayne Gretzky delivered a vintage performance for Edmonton, racking up six points (three goals, three assists), with Jari Kurri matching his six points. Despite Edmonton’s star power, Toronto’s relentless scoring and Tim Bernhardt’s 22 saves sealed the high-octane victory in a game featuring 20 combined goals.

---

21 goals – Toronto St. Patricks vs. Montreal Canadiens

On January 10, 1920, the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Toronto St. Patricks 14-7 at Mount Royal Arena in a game that set the record for the most NHL goals in one game, with an incredible 21 combined goals. Newsy Lalonde dominated with six goals for the Canadiens, supported by Didier Pitre’s hat trick. For Toronto, Corb Denneny shone with five points (two goals, three assists). This historic contest remains a testament to the high-scoring action of early NHL hockey.

---

21 goals – Edmonton Oilers vs. Chicago Black Hawks

The Edmonton Oilers and Chicago Black Hawks combined for 21 goals in 1985, tying the record for the most goals in an NHL game, as the Oilers secured a 12-9 victory at Chicago Stadium. Wayne Gretzky led the charge with seven assists, while Glenn Anderson and Jari Kurri each recorded hat tricks, with Anderson adding three assists for six points. The Black Hawks put up a valiant fight, with Troy Murray tallying four points (two goals, two assists) and Ken Yaremchuk scoring twice. This historic offensive showcase highlighted the explosive potential of 1980s hockey.

---

Conclusion

High-scoring NHL games are a testament to the fast-paced, unpredictable nature of hockey, where every shot can turn the tide and every goal adds to the excitement. These unforgettable matchups remind us why fans flock to arenas and tune in from around the world … to witness the sheer thrill of the game. Whether it’s a record-breaking performance or a wild back-and-forth shootout, these games leave an indelible mark on the sport’s history.

---

FAQs

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 27th, 2024 at 4:36 pm and is filed under NHL History. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.